Here it is – the end of the story. Keep an eye out for the next fic from Jackie, hopefully coming soon. Yes, you may have read this on another archive, but even if you have I hope you enjoyed this newly revised version. Remember – send reviews and let Jackie know you want more. - Flatkatsi

What Fate Decrees - Part Thirty-nine

Sam called her friends to her lab, anxious to give them the good news of Jack's return to active duty.

"First of all, as you've probably gathered by my face, Jack…I mean the Colonel, has been fully reinstated for active duty. Secondly," she continued, her voice cutting across their pleased comments, "the General is unofficially aware of our relationship, and providing it is kept quiet and off the base and," she looked to Daniel and Teal'c, "it doesn't affect SG-1, it looks like no more will be said. So we need you guys to help us with this - keep us sane."

"Of course we'll help." Daniel turned to their other team mate, "Won't we, Teal'c."

"Indeed," Teal'c answered, with a rare smile.

"Are we celebrating tonight?" asked Daniel.

"I think Sam and Jack will want to be on their own tonight," said Janet, nudging him.

"Jack'll be worn out with all the tests and the traveling," grinned Sam "We can celebrate tomorrow."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam checked what time Jack's plane would be landing and left the Mountain. As she stood waiting at the airport, searching the crowds for him, she suddenly felt very nervous of seeing him. The nagging doubt that it was Jack's inactiveness that had allowed him to turn to her for comfort, loomed large.

Suddenly she saw him coming towards her, tall and handsome in full dress uniform, causing her heart to flutter and her stomach to churn.

She pushed down her doubts and flew towards him to be swung up in his arms, his pack flung to the floor without a care. He hugged her tightly, deeply inhaling her scent.

"Congratulations." Her voice wobbled as she spoke and she unsuccessfully tried to hold back the tears. As they began to flow she buried her head into his shoulder.

Jack set her down. "You okay Sam?" he asked in a puzzled tone, "Why the tears?"

"Because I'm happy," she sniffed, embarrassed.

He hugged her to him tightly and then pulled back, searching her face anxiously. "Come on let's get out of here, home!"

They were both quiet on the journey back to Jack's house. As soon as he got inside Jack made his way to the sofa, tossing his bag carelessly to the floor as he dragged his jacket off and loosened his tie. He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and sank down with a heartfelt sigh.

Sam made two coffees and brought them in. As she handed him one she thought how exhausted he looked. "Tired?" she asked out loud.

"Beat," he admitted, nursing his coffee. "It's been one hell of a day."

Sam heard the weariness in his voice. "Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

"Yeah, but I'll tell you, I'd sooner have taken on some Goa'uld today. At least they're open in wanting to destroy you."

"That bad?" she asked, concerned at both his comment and the tone he had used.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack only nodded in reply. He put down his coffee and moved closer to Sam. He'd missed her terribly all day and only the thought of holding her in his arms had kept him going.

"Those bastards. You should have seen the MO - a jumped up little Hitler. Christ, what I'd give to see that lot face half a dozen Jaffa," he ground out.

Sam smiled. "You beat them though. You're reinstated as active."

"Yep, Jack O'Neill lives to fight another day. The board had their heads so far up their asses, they couldn't see the light of day. They were still trying to knock me down until a certain person intervened."

Sam looked at him expectantly.

"Thor was apparently monitoring the proceedings and he butted in at just the right moment, I can tell you. They'd brought me back in to shave another go at me and I was getting ready to tell them what I thought of them when he spoke up."

"So they weren't playing fair?"

"Nope, they had me on the fitness course twice, straight after the cardio stuff. Hell, I was wiped. I can still see their faces when they read the MO's report. They couldn't believe I'd passed, so they brought up everything from eons ago, and my refusal to talk to the shrinks. I tell you, I thought it was all over until Thor spoke. It was a good job he butted in when he did. I was getting ready to tell them exactly what they could do with their frigging board, would have been court-martialled so fast …."

Sam frowned. "I'm really glad he intervened then." She leaned closer and kissed him. "Still tired?"

Jack nodded.

Sam pouted, looking disappointed. "Oh, I suppose I can wait."

"Wait for what?" he asked.

Sam kissed him again, running her hand across his thigh.

"Oh, I'm not too tired for that," he said as she broke off the kiss. He returned it with an urgency to which they both surrendered.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

It was much later, as they lay together savouring the feel of each other; that Sam remembered what she still had to tell Jack.

"Oh, by the way, General Hammond gave me a little lecture today."

"Oh?"

"Is that all you can say? Oh?"

Jack looked a little sheepish. "I'm sorry, I was going to warn you. He caught me on the hop, so to speak, and to be honest, what with everything else, it sort of slipped my mind."

"Okay, I'll believe you." She nuzzled closer. "Was he mad with you?"

"No, not mad. It was strictly off the record, but he made it clear it was my ass on the line at the first sign of trouble."

"So we'd better behave then."

"Yep. Are you okay with everything, Sam?" he asked, sitting up a little and turning to her.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam looked gravely back at Jack. "What do you want me to say? Of course I'm not happy sneaking around like this."

"Neither am I," sighed Jack "But given the alternative …"

Sam continued to look him in the eyes, wondering if this was his opening to break it off. "Would you rather …"

"Oh no…." said Jack earnestly, gazing at her. "I want you in my life day and night. I want you with me for eternity."

Sam lay still, not knowing what to say to that admission.

"Please say something," begged Jack, beginning to look anxious, and Sam realised he couldn't know what she was thinking. She hurried to speak - to reassure him.

"Oh Jack, I feel the same. I can't give you up. I want you and I need you."

"But is it enough?"

"For now, yes, yes is it. I want to be a part of your life too."

"Even knowing that this is all I can offer for now?"

"It's enough. Having your love is enough. We both need each other, but we also need to be out there doing what we're doing."

"So you're willing to go on and take what we can for now?"

"Yes Jack, I am. I love you." Sam's eyes never left his while they spoke.

"I love you." He spoke quietly, from deep within his heart, and Sam knew the words were meant as much as her own had been.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Within days SG-1 were back together and ready for their first mission. As the Gate's vortex opened, Jack stood there watching, the sight never failing to stir him. He gave his team the final once over and made eye contact with Sam, smiling.

"SG-1 you have a go," called the General.

Jack acknowledged the order with a wave and a quick salute.

"Okay kids, let's go see the wizard," he ordered cheerfully.

Jack proudly led his team up the ramp and into the Stargate with a smile playing across his handsome features.

The rest of his unit smiled at each other. Sam shook her head, grinning, and they followed him into the wormhole.

THE END

Whew – you made it this far? Thank you for reading.